** taking a brief break from beauty to share one of the best accessories to come into my life in a long while. **

i used to be this very organized person. never missed a beat, never would have dreamed that i would leave my phone at lou’s daycare or put my keys down in the beauty aisle at target only to have a full-on panic attack in the parking lot. (i guess a bit of brain power gets sacrificed when one is raising a tiny human?) it only took three mini disasters for me to begin researching the ultimate solution.

bevee is providing the answer with their trifold sidekick – and the brilliance of this crossbody is not to be underestimated. at its core, this is a gorgeous over-sized wallet on a strap, but it’s really much better than that.

the inside is completely organized with slots, slip pockets for receipts and cash, and a zip pocket where i can easily stash my daily beauty needs. on the back, there’s a slip pocket for my phone (so it’s easily accessible) and it’s also where the strap is a cinch to attach and detach, taking this cutie from clutch to crossbody in a second.

quite possibly my favorite thing about the bag is the detachable billfold. this is extra genius because when i change bags for an event or evening out (few and farther between these days, but still), i’m always pulling my license and debit card out of my wallet and tossing them loosely into the belly of my favorite clutch. now, with one smart move, i can snap the billfold out of my sidekick and slip it right into a clutch, never pulling my most important cards from their assigned slots.

i love how bevee has gotten me to go completely hands-free, greatly decreasing the chance that any of my essentials will be lost again. i had to share the love because i know so many people who can benefit from this system – it’s a wallet, crossbody, clutch, billfold and lifesaver in one.

it’s 75 degrees in va today with some much-needed bright and beautiful sunshine. i’ve gotten so used to the gray of winter that i completely forgot – it’s spring break season!

to celebrate, i painted my toes ‘suburban warrior’ by smith & cult. i normally give them a break from polish during the colder months, so looking down to see this neon watermelon brightness is really making me smile. and holy gorgeous, i love these lacquers. if the crazy-good packaging wasn’t enough to sway you, (i mean, hello! that ergonomically shaped gold bottle top? so pretty.) we are talking about flawlessly smooth application and insanely brilliant shine. perhaps best of all is the chip-free performance, because i’m a week in with no topcoat and no damage, a semi-rarity for a 5-free formula.

on my lips is eden, a new shade of luxe sheer lip color from sonia kashuk. it’s the most beautiful bright and warm coral color, good and glossy, not too sheer, with lots of moisture and shine. once applied, it gives this blurred lip effect in one step and it wears for a surprisingly long time. it’s the very first thing that i’m throwing into my suitcase for my trip to LA on monday, because i love what it’s doing for my whole sun-starved face.

you can forget everything that you think you know about caring for your curly hair, because living proof is changing the game.

i have a horrendous habit of treating my natural curls with the utmost disrespect. i have tried time and time again to part ways with my flat iron, and the throes of motherhood may just be the thing that tips me over the edge. for me, curly hair could be a cinch. it takes virtually zero effort and needs no heat styling. the trick is that without the right products, without the right system, it can go very, very wrong.

i test curl products here and there, but none of them really deliver what i’m looking for. the truth is that because my curls are flattened so regularly, they have lost a lot of their shape. they now fall somewhere between curls and waves and it takes a bit more effort than it used to to keep them looking good.

when living proof announced their new curl collection, i was really intrigued. the thing i love about living proof is that it’s run by scientists. (it’s also endorsed by jennifer aniston who i am not ashamed to say i adore, and it’s based in my home city of boston, but that’s neither here nor there.) each of their products is designed to effectively treat a specific concern and they almost always deliver beautifully.

these curl products are super innovative and anyone with curly hair knows that treating and prepping your curls for the day begins in the shower. you need a product that will effectively cleanse your hair without stripping it so that you get curls that are properly shaped without being weighed down. living proof curl conditioning wash presents like a super thick conditioner. it doesn’t lather. you rub it between your hands and scrub it into your scalp. it feels really weird if you’re someone like me who lives for lather, but it leaves my hair soft, clean, and not weighed down.

in lieu of a conditioner, living proof offers up a curl detangling rinse that has the consistency of a serum or gel. it’s very unusual for a rinse-out conditioning-type product, but it works like a charm to detangle my hair without adding any grease or heaviness. this product is truly innovative and i think it’s the secret sauce in this system – i love it so so much.

for styling, i have taken to the curl enhancing styling mousse. living proof prescribes this product over its curl defining cream for those of us who have “weaker curl patterns” and need shape, definition and hold with a bit of conditioning to prevent frizz. i say brilliant, perfect, yes.

the end results from using this trio are what i like to refer to as the dream curls. the ones that carrie bradshaw has that are perfectly coiled yet still soft and effortless. oh my goodness, living proof has made me so happy with this system and i know curly girls across the world are going to agree.

every evening before bed, i slather on a thick lip treatment. in an attempt to mimic what a hydrating night cream does for the face, i create a mini mask for my mouth by dousing it in product. i have a few favorites that i rotate – this dior beauty, ever-popular aquaphor, and i always travel with this tube of l’occitane. i have my bases covered and didn’t really think that i was missing anything great – but when burt’s bees put their classic formula into a squeeze tube? i obviously wasn’t going to pass that by.

i haven’t bought a tube of burt’s bees in forever and i had forgotten how minty delicious and soothing the formula is. the new tube option has everything that you love about the original, but this version is soft, smooth and rich with moisture. i love it to pieces and after several nights of use, i’m taking it into the daytime – because that minty tingle and the beautiful shine that it delivers is just too good to waste. you can easily layer this over your favorite lipstick for a little added moisture and shine, the finishing look is soft, dewy, beautiful.

i like that burt’s bees has reinvented a classic, and at such a glorious drugstore price, i think this one is going to find a home in many a makeup bag.

those of you who dread applying body lotion as much as i do are going to love this new body serum from l’occitane. it’s a lightweight, silky creme that vanishes into skin, leaving behind a subtle and super-pretty scent.

i’m admittedly horrible about caring for the skin below my chin, so adding something into my mix that works to even tone is definitely a big upgrade. the fact that this stuff leaves me visibly softer without any grease or stickiness? well that’s just plain icing on the cake.

i actually look forward to rubbing this in post-shower because it’s such a luxurious, yet un-fussy part of my routine. i feel like i’m getting my skin closer to spring-ready with each application and i’m finding that the comfort it’s providing for my dry, lackluster arms and legs is a major step up from my previous body skin regimen, otherwise known as nothing.

results-wise, i can definitely say that the top layers of my skin are looking and feeling renewed – and (spoiler alert!) i’m thinking of gifting this gorgeous bottle to every single mama i know come mother’s day.

industry experts across the board agree that you should have some version of setting or translucent powder in your makeup bag. designed to lock your look in place without adding anything or taking anything away, these products are a lifesaver for when you need your daily makeup to go the distance or – if you’re like me – your oily skin needs refreshing mid-day.

the problem for me is that these powders tend to leave my skin looking so flat and lifeless. i usually reach for an ultra fair bronzer to freshen up my face instead because it adds dimension, but in a perfect world, there would be something on the market that gives that beautiful candlelit-from-within glow and mattifies at the same time.

enter laura mercier and her magical genius. just reading the words “matte radiance” make my heart sing because all signs point to this powder doing everything that i need: zapping shine while at the same time adding in that glow that i crave so badly.

it delivers in the most beautiful way! it’s soft and silky (almost creamy) and it pulls my entire look back together. there’s a sheen, not so much a shimmer to it – so when you wear it you feel instantly pretty and it looks less like you’ve been playing in grandma’s makeup drawer, and more like the prettiest instagram filter – ever.

i’ve been wearing it in highlight 01 which reads as sheer and neutral, detracting from any minor imperfections and waking up my skin. it’s warm and subtle, totally making me forget that it’s march, because it’s sending my skin straight into spring.

the right makeup brushes are key to any beauty look, and the best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to complete your collection. i have always been a fan of the bargain beauty brush, often finding them to be better quality and more long-lasting than their pricier counterparts. these days options are endless with brands like real techniques, ecotools, and essential tools so widely available. that being said, it makes sense to turn to the right brand for the right tool, so here are my tricks for selecting the best brushes.

real techniques has mastered the art of foundation application. we all know that i love this brush, but i have recently turned to its more shapely sister, the sculpting brush, to apply my daily favorite. it blends so, so beautifully! the bristles are so soft and dense, and the finish is flawless.

essential tools is it for eyes. when you can buy three essential brushes for less than it costs to snag your favorite eyeshadow, you know you’re doing something right. the everyday eye set contains all that you need to craft your favorite look. i’m currently running with this maybelline duo – i use the large shadow brush to cover the base of my lid in the lighter shade and then the angled shadow brush to get some definition in the crease. so simple!

for a smooth, high-definition look, get yourself this gorgeous mattifying finish makeup brush from ecotools. you have never seen such a beauty for less than $9! the duo fibers pick up just enough of my go-to powder and the soft contours mean that the problem areas – like those crevices around my nose – don’t get shiny.

now! time for a fab little giveaway. in case you missed it, i just introduced you to five beauty brushes that you can purchase for less than $25 – or better yet, if you’d rather get them for free, enter below:

thankfully, sweet glossarie contributor maggie has a little something for us to get our glow on without leaving town – although, for the record, looking at today’s forecast, we would very much like to leave town.

“i love topshop for their glowy products. lara could not get enough of their glow stick this summer, while i’m currently obsessing over the all over glow liquid illuminator. for that fresh-from-the-beach look that’s not too obvious, you can swipe just a touch of this cream highlighter under brows, on cheekbones, and down the center of your nose. the effects are warm and sunny, almost like your skin has seen the actual sun. (i forget what that’s like…) this can also be easily blended into foundation or moisturize for an all-over glow that’s illuminating without being intimidating – even if your skin tends toward the greasy end of the spectrum.”

disclaimer: i haven’t tried this one, but i’m so intrigued that i had to share it.

dr. dennis gross has created a cleanser/mask that changes color to reveal the areas of your face that have been properly cleansed. you rub it onto your skin in a circular motion, and it changes color to indicate when that area is fully clean.

** insert applause emoji **

i mean, if it actually works, this is so genius – and quite an advancement. no more wondering if your face is really clean! clearer pores for everyone! and beyond that little magic trick, the product can be used both as a cleanser and as a detox mask giving you big-time bang for your buck.

do you think you’ll give this a try?

the reviews are mixed, so i haven’t made the commitment of adding it to my sephora shopping car just yet. it seems that maybe the innovative color-change aspect outperforms its actual cleansing abilities and there’s also some mention of it leaving your skin tinted orange (eek!) if you don’t rinse extra thoroughly. hmm…

the optimist in me has high hopes because any exciting feature in a cleanser is a very positive thing for me. i would rather do a sink FULL of dirty dishes than wash my face at night – i don’t know why, but i really dread it. that being said, since i haven’t tried it, i can’t endorse it, but it does beg the question – what will they think of next?